Tag Archives:Blissdom Canada

Tickets for Blissdom Canada (October 15-18) are on sale now, and if you saw on Facebook or in their newsletters, I am one of the fortunate people who have been asked to be a Blissdom Ambassador this year!

What’s that mean? It’s a variation on the old Community Leader role and first and foremost means I, and the other Ambassadors, are here to help answer your questions about the conference leading up to it and over the course of the weekend. Think of us like cheer leaders and coaches all in one – we want to help and answer your questions along the way.

BUT, I want to make sure I say a thank you to you for not only using my link, but also investing in yourself. I GET it. This is a big decision. It’s the same thought process I have each year when I spend the money.

As a thank you, I am offering up a small gift to everyone who uses my link (just let me know if you use my link to buy your ticket and I’ll be in touch) And as time goes on I’ll probably add a few things.

Also, if you buy a ticket with this link, let me know so we can get excited together – and I can help answer any questions you have about getting ready for the conference.

In addition, I’m going to do a draw for a 1 hour one-on-one coaching session that will focus on your blog and social media in preparation for Blissdom for to lead you into the Fall. I will help one of you (maybe more 😉 to really maximize the weekend. I will help you take some steps so that you can see the ROI that I’ve seen in the past.

Naturally, whether you use my link or not, I want to help. So feel free to send me your questions, your concerns, etc. any time. That’s my job as an Ambassador! All of the ambassadors for Blissdom are a fun, welcoming group so you can catch any of us when you aren’t sure about something. It will be fun, and business focused 😉

Finding pictures of myself at Blissdom are always interesting. I make a lot of faces when I speak 😉

Why should you attend Blissdom?

I’ve been to Blissdom every year but the first (and even for that one I had a ticket but ended up not being able to go). I wrote a post on their website last year about why I think it’s a good business investment. I’m boring that way. While I would love to tell you how much fun you’ll have (you will) and how nice it is to be in a room of other like-minded business people (it’s fantastic) and how there is inspiration seeping out of everywhere all weekend, I won’t just focus on that. Instead I can chat about it being a good business decision. Because at the end of the day, I can’t invest in these conferences (which we all know aren’t free) just for the fun of it. It doesn’t work for me that way.

We shouldn’t dismiss the fun aspect though. We work hard, and having fun and meeting up with friends from across the country has it’s own value. There is something so rewarding about being in a room of people who get what you do on a day to day basis and who together can inspire and motivate us. That is valuable. Every year I leave wanting to do better, work harder and improve in the blogging community.

No matter what, I do believe in investing in myself and my business. Maybe you are in a creative rut, maybe you are a new blogger, maybe you are a veteran blogger looking for your next project; whatever the case, this conference will cover that.

There’s also opportunity for ROI. Like it or not, it does come down to money for many of us when we make business decisions and in this case, the opportunity for ROI is great. I’ve met brands that I have worked with, partners, clients – the opportunities are what you make of them. It takes some work of course. But being there, in person, makes a difference, that’s one thing I’ve learned over the years.

Thinking about going? Make a plan for what you want to be doing with the blog or on social media in 3 months, in 6 months and in 12 months. This will help you determine what you want to take away from Blissdom.

Before you buy, check out this contest

NOW WAIT don’t buy your ticket yet. Right now Blissdom has a contest for those of you who have been before. They are looking for your success stories and by sending them in you have a chance to WIN your ticket. If you don’t win, then head back over and buy 😉 Enter by June 14!

Once you’ve bought your ticket, be sure to let me know so I can keep track for my draw and fun stuff, plus we can chat away!

Blissdom Canada is already shaping up to be huge this year. I really hope to see you there!

I’m including a picture of these corn dogs. They were delicious. I regret not eating more. Consider it a metaphor for going to the event. Don’t regret not eating the corn dogs!

photo credits: from the Blissdom Canada flickr account

Disclosure: This post contains an affiliate link. And a lot of rambling 😉

When I explain to people that I label myself an introvert, I’m usually met with surprise. While it remains true that I am fairly chatty, and talk a lot in person, and do make a point of socializing and networking, it’s actually a very difficult endeavour for me.

I’ve written before openly about my anxieties – my need for perfectionism and the stress it causes, my ‘fraud syndrome’ struggle where suddenly I think most people will assume I’m useless, how I avoid conflict because PLEASE DON’T HATE ME LET ME MAKE YOU HAPPY!

So my nervousness in large groups is kind of all a part of that. It’s quite the bizarre mix because I do recognize that at times I’m quite outgoing.

I force myself outside of my comfort zone. Even when I was younger when I would join a club, or lead an event, these things weren’t super natural for me. I enjoyed them, but they took work.

Last weekend was the Social Capital Conference and as Susan Murphy pointed out on Sunday, many of us seemed to have a conference hangover. Not from traditional reasons, but from the social aspect that the weekend brought. I completely understood what she way saying.

When I am at these events I often step away to make the family call. Some would say I don’t need to check in, they are fine, and I know that. Of course they are fine. But when I get overwhelmed it’s Andy’s voice I turn to. When I’m on the phone, no one will disturb me and I can have a few minutes alone to chat, or it’s a good excuse to go to my hotel room for a break.

What many people might call cliques at these conferences, I call a few people who I am most comfortable with and who are my support team. When you see me always sitting with the same person, that’s not because I don’t like anyone else, that’s because I crave consistency when at group events. The small intimate dinner I attend isn’t meant to exclude people but to give myself a chance to recover from larger crowds.

Again, this doesn’t mean I’m not enjoying myself. Far from it. But over the years I have developed ways to recognize when too much is too much at conferences and large events.

My tips for fellow introverts heading to conferences this year?

Firstly, you won’t be alone. There are many of us who feel the same way.

Secondly, it’s ok to take your alone time. You don’t have to go to every party or every dinner. Those moments alone will rejuvenate you for the busy times in the conference when you will need it.

Thirdly, be yourself and have a good time. What I’ve discovered is that most people are very friendly at these events and if you want to introduce yourself to someone, do it. There’s no right or wrong way to experiences conferences so long as you are giving yourself the chance to experience it the way that you want to. I’ve also learned that the more positive energy I give at these events, the happier I am.

If there is one takeaway that I leave these conferences with each and every time, it’s that no matter how much I love being online, chatting via social media etc. nothing compares to meeting, hugging and laughing with people in person. (It helped I also had the greatest room mate ever 😉

I went into Blissdom Canada this year with a bit of a different approach – since I was invited to be a community leader, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to participate in a lot of the hands on learning parts of the conference (and that was ok! I think my presentation went really well, a huge thank you to everyone who came to table #19!), but it also meant that I was a bit more free to meet, listen and engage.

Last year I took in every last minute of learning that I could, but felt I missed out on some in depth conversations. This year, I let the conversations take precedent and that was fantastic. I heard some great speakers, but also got to really meet some new and old friends.

As I did last year, I left with renewed love for this space – for my own blog, my own purpose and also for those around me. I think sometimes the loudest, most negative voices seem to take ‘front page’ in the online space. They cause the most commotion, the most controversy, the most reaction. But the reality is, the kind, quiet, hard working, savvy, intellegent and fun people who fall somewhere outside of that are the ones that have much more to offer. To say. To give. Blissdom reminded me of that.

The nice guys can finish first. And in fact, they put on one heck of a conference.

This week on the blog I’ll try to get my presentation and notes up from my microsession about Growing an Engaged Community Organically. But I also have some posts brewing inside of me that might make us think. One on Evergreen Brickworks that I went to on Sunday and was so impressed. And don’t worry, there are some fun ones too, including a special one about Fisher Price and a HUGE giveaway that’s coming up.

Thank you to Blissdom for letting me be a part of your event.

Thank you to those I met for the first time for being kind and introducing yourselves and adding to my list of people to chat with.

Thank you to old friends who always make me feel welcome, who remind me of my own uniqueness (and what I could bring to this space) and for making me laugh.

I certainly found my ‘bliss’ at Blissdom this year.

Were you at Blissdom? What did you learn?

I met Chef Michael Smith!! I was so excited and probably sounded like a dork. He was very nice

Kraft Canada had a booth with lots of delicious food. This was a pumpkin spice cheese cake. It tastes as good as it looks. I have the recipe! Want me to share it? 😉

For the costume party I was Mary Crawley from Downton Abbey. This was not the sexiest costume to dance Gangham Style in 😉

On Sunday I went to the Evergreen Brickworks excursion. This will get it’s own post. Just stunning

Thanks to the Blissdom Facebook groups (side note: Blissdom is only a week away almost!) I have been able to connect with some people that I haven’t before. It’s one of the reasons I love events like this – meeting new people.

One of those people is Tara. She can be found on Twitter at @sewtara, but when I saw her website pop up in the groups, I couldn’t help but click on it. And then instantly wanted what I saw.

She makes the most adorable (and geek-chic) coffee/tea cozies. I mean, with Starbucks as an official Blissdom Canada sponsor, I feel this is a great fit.

Now my dilemma is that I have to decide which one. Browse through and see for yourself why I’m struggling with this decision. But here are the three I’ve narrowed it down to. I’m hoping to order ASAP so I have it before I leave on the train!

*image credits: Sew Tara Etsy Page

Which one would you pick? I’ll tweet a picture of the one I choose once I get it.

ps: I completed my Blissdom costume today. I am pretty happy with it. I won’t tell you what it is, but I will say that I almost (but didn’t) select Sookie Stackhouse and Sherlock Holmes as possibilities…

On Thursday until Saturday I attended Blissdom Canada – a conference to discuss social media, public relations, blogging and online engagement.

I feel like I am still processing everything, but WOW I had such a great time. It was likely the combination of learning (which I love to do) and seeing/connecting with so many people that I don’t get to hang with every day (and some that I get to see more often but was able to have a blast with – Ottawa peeps I’m looking at you!).

I’ve decided to write out short lists to summarize the ocean of thoughts I have about the past couple of days in my head. There’s just so much swimming around up there, I need to get it down and break it apart.

My favourite parts (and the stuff they can’t accurately describe on the website)

Meeting people that I have spoken with online for years, but don’t live near me. There were hugs (some awkward) and laughing and awesomeness.

Seeing people that I don’t get to see nearlyenough. Sometimes it seems like Toronto and the surrounding area is so close. Then I remember how far it is because so many people I love to be with are there.

Ottawa represents – we are a fun crowd. Can I say that? Ottawa is special. Seriously, yes, I’m bragging, but we are our own community. It’s an inclusive group and we support each other. Love it.

I got to dress up! Ok, that’s not what it’s all about, but I don’t get to do it often and it was fun.

I am surrounded by talented and supportive people. How many times did I get to congratulate talented women this weekend on their new/continuing ventures? How many did I get to listen to talk about their strengths and share their goals and tips. Countless. I felt loved all weekend.

Secret: All that chatting and meeting with people and mingling is stressful for me. No, really it is. It exhausts me. I do it because it’s rewarding – people are fun and I really have fun! But my anxieties leave me feeling silly sometimes or thinking I sounded like a dork (and yes, sometimes I did ha!). And yet, I NEVER once felt judged. Or unwelcome. Or foolish. I felt like I was with my people. And it was during the opening remarks that I realized that.

Better time management for Bit of Momsense so I can focus only on great content – and those brands/advertisers I work with that are the best fit for me and my readers.

Make more time to connect with people. I’ve been able to do it more in Ottawa, but now I want to see all those awesome Toronto area people more!

Learn to write better. Chip away at some of the walls I put up, the lack of confidence and work to improve my writing.

Areas I’d love to see focused on next year:

Focus on Social Media and small business/entrepreneurs

The business of blogging – the conversation about monetization has been open, but if we are going to monetize, it becomes a business. What does that mean? What’s different?

How small blogs make a difference, are of value and have their own niche. Stats are important and tell a story but they aren’t everything.

More time for connecting outside of sessions – this may be impossible but there’s so much value in it!

ETA (just thought of this): Community Management and jobs/careers IN/about Social media

Conferences like these are incredible work to put together, and I can’t thank the organizers enough for hosting a wonderful weekend. This was my first time and I loved it. Meeting everyone and participating was valuable for not only my blog but more importantly for me.

If you were at Blissdom and I didn’t get to meet you, I’m sorry. And I mean that because as I had suggested to others, I wish there was a way to meet every participant in a reception line (or speed dating way as someone said) just to be able to put names and faces together. The smiles of so many lovely people warmed my heart and lifted me in ways that can’t be explained.

Lastly, I ate supper at a place with sushi on mini boats that floated around where we sat and I could grab sushi off the boats. Sure, maybe it was the company that made this a hilarious and fun time, but it was pretty awesome. 🙂

Welcome to A Little Bit of Momsense! My name is Rebecca and I'm chatting about parenting, family friendly activities, yummy recipes, family travel, and living a life full of love and laughter. Thanks for stopping by!